Gill Family Wanted Down Under

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At some point, most of us dream of a brand-new start in a far-off land,

but the reality of uprooting your lives can be a tough process

for any family to face, especially when it can mean

leaving behind one of your children.

It's a big gamble to move your family all the way to Australia

based on childhood memories.

What have I done dragging everyone around the world?

Especially when the reality turns out to be very different.

I can't believe the house prices here are so expensive.

We seem to be stuck in the same rut.

Very disappointing.

And it threatens to tear your family apart.

I'm going to let someone down.

With so much at stake,

could you make the decision to start a new life Down Under?

Australia is the most popular country for Brits moving abroad.

They may be tempted by its 10,000 beaches,

sunny climate and famous relaxed lifestyle.

But life Down Under doesn't always deliver the paradise newcomers may imagine.

Amongst the latest new arrivals are the Gill family from Plymouth.

Ahead of them are some huge decisions

as they sample life in Australia for one week.

At the end of it, they'll have to make a final choice -

to stay in the UK or start a new life Down Under.

Their journey to Australia is long a 9,000 miles.

After nearly 24 hours in the air,

the Gills arrive in Perth tired and a little unprepared.

I forgot how long it takes you to get here.

And we've arrived and it's raining. We've brought the weather with us.

I've brought the wrong clothes!

The journey has brought home the difficulties of travelling so far.

It is a huge distance. And, yeah, absolutely shattered.

We're only at the airport and it's starting to hit home.

They'll need to get plenty of rest

as they have a tough week ahead in Australia, a long way from home.

39-year-old Kevin and wife Charlotte, 48, have two children,

daughter Samantha, who is 22, and son George, who's nine.

The Gills live in the coastal town of Plymouth in Devon

where Kevin has served in the Royal Navy for 20 years.

But with retirement looming for Kevin the family is about to begin

a new chapter of their lives.

Obviously, the Navy's looked after us with the house, the work

but now that's coming to an end, that support's going to disappear.

With Kevin leaving the Navy, we lose accommodation, we lose housing.

We need to find new housing, he also needs to find a new job.

With everything looking uncertain,

Charlotte believes their future could lie in Australia.

I was a Ten Pound Pom. We moved out to Australia when I was two,

with my brothers and sisters, and my father went to work in a mining town.

The family lifestyle was brilliant, we had a nice little house.

We used to go roaming around the bush.

The opportunity to give my children that lifestyle would be fantastic.

I'd like to show Kevin the reason why I enjoyed it so much.

Living in Australia could make a difference for Charlotte's health.

I suffer from a condition called ankylosing spondylitis.

It affects the joints and it's affected by the weather.

So, the temperate climate offered in Perth, I'm hoping will benefit.

However, uprooting their lives and starting again

on the other side of the world is not going to be plain sailing.

The potential for disaster is huge.

There is a lot of pressure on me right now.

I'm feeling it for once. It's on my shoulders now.

There's no support network, it's just me.

If I don't get it right, we're goosed.

But Kevin isn't the only one with doubts.

Their daughter Samantha is feeling torn.

At the moment there seems to be a big decision looming.

I know my family would probably love to live in Australia,

would absolutely love it,

but I know they wouldn't move there without me.

But I couldn't leave my boyfriend behind in the UK.

So it's quite a tough call at the moment

because I'm going to let down someone.

It's a painful subject with no easy answers.

I don't think I could miss seeing my brother grow up.

I'd like to be there for him because I'm very protective of him.

So I don't think I could miss out on being the protective older sister.

I'm going to let someone down.

So...

Yeah.

If Sam decides to stay in the UK,

Charlotte will be torn between fulfilling a lifelong dream

and leaving her daughter behind.

I don't know how I'd deal with it.

I can't even imagine it, so...

I don't know how I would.

I can't tell you how I'd feel because I can't imagine it.

The Gills are at a turning point in their lives.

With Kevin facing retirement they have to make a new start

wherever they choose to live.

And what's most important to Charlotte and Kevin

is sharing that future with the whole family.

Their home these seven days will be in Fremantle,

on the coast just south of Perth.

It's one of the most desirable areas in Western Australia.

However, the Gills will have to wait until tomorrow

to see how beautiful it is.

And the journey in the dark and wet isn't quite living up

to Charlotte's fond memories of Australia.

I remember it being warmer than this! It's freezing!

-But the house is lovely. Really nice.

-It's very liveable, isn't it.

It's lovely. Really cool.

Oh, wow. Oh, it's two levels.

I know what type of house this is. An upside down house.

Oh, wow!

Everyone is impressed

but they're also keeping their feet on the ground.

It's really nice but could we be able to afford somewhere like this?

-Location is everything.

-It depends on work.

Well, I know house prices have gone mental in Western Australia.

As the main visa applicant, Kevin is well aware

of the job difficulties he faces.

I've been in the same sort of comfort zone for the last 20 years.

I'm stepping away from that so it's going to be a culture shock.

To do it in another country is a secondary culture shock.

You know...

It's going to be difficult.

Sam is also feeling the pressure.

I'm stuck in the middle between moving to Australia

or leaving, potentially, leaving behind someone.

I don't think I can, so...

It's Charlotte's childhood memories that have driven her

to move the family to Fremantle, but now even she's having doubts.

We figured out that it's 29 years, since I left Australia.

-Yeah. It may have changed.

-It might have changed slightly.

It may not be the Fremantle or Western Australia I thought it was.

It's a worry. What an earth have I done dragging the family

half-way round the world and it could actually be awful.

With the Gills already feeling the pressure of the move,

the next seven days could be very difficult.

If Charlotte's dream of living Down Under is to become a reality,

finding the right house in the right area will be crucial.

But trying to please everyone could be a major challenge.

In the UK, the Gills live in a Navy house in Plymouth,

which they're sadly having to leave.

Life's pretty good here.

Very happy here. It's a nice area, very nice, friendly people here.

Within minutes of a city, minutes to the countryside,

minutes to the sea.

Very happy here, but we know we can't stay.

And they're being modest about what they want in Australia.

Don't want masses, don't want a massive house.

We don't want masses of land.

Three bedrooms would be nice, but four, if we could afford that we've got to look and see.

But somewhere near the sea or overlooking the sea.

Wouldn't that be stunning? But that would be a dream property,

we don't realistically expect to get that.

But if we could be within walking distance of the sea

or even a five-minute drive, that would be lovely as well.

Today, we'll give the Gills a taste of Perth's housing market.

We'll show them three possible options

based upon what they want from their ideal home,

what they can afford and the real price of property Down Under.

After they get to see what's on offer,

we'll reveal to the family just how much each house costs.

However, with big rises in Australian property prices,

finding the ideal home could be a big ask.

House prices are even higher near the coast so we're heading a few miles inland to the Wellard area.

This new suburb on the outskirts of Perth is popular with families

and with a university nearby, could suit Samantha.

Will this three-bedroom house have everything the Gills want?

Oh, wow.

Oh, wow, that's pretty cool.

-That'll do!

-This would so be my TV, games room.

OK. Sorted. That's really nice, isn't it?

Oh, wow! I like the idea of this, actually.

This is really a family area.

Well, this house is a definite hit.

In fact, I think Charlotte has already moved in.

-This bit would be so nice with our table.

-It would.

-I like the breakfast bar.

-Me too.

I think it's really cool. I think it's a real family area.

That's what I like about Australian houses,

everybody sits and eats and talks together.

I can see now what you're on about.

There's loads of light, loads of windows.

It's all going very well,

but the small garden might change their tune.

Nice eating area but I think this is obviously small,

the outside area.

I think you could buy bigger plots, know what I mean?

But I like the size of the house, I think it's plenty big enough.

Compared to what we're living in in the UK, so far,

everything we live in the UK would fit in that one main room!

It's really nice.

-Can you see us here?

-Yeah. I can see you guys here.

-Can you see yourself here?

-Don't know.

Mmm, Sam's not sounding so enthused,

maybe the walk-in wardrobes might persuade her to think otherwise.

Sorry, Sam, but I think this might be mummy's area.

OK. Forget that idea.

Probably best to leave it to Mum. She's enjoying this house.

I think it's really, really nice.

-But, I've used the word nice a lot, I haven't gone...

-Said "awesome".

No. It's a really nice place, don't get me wrong,

-but it's a little bit soulless.

-Sterile.

-Not a lot of character.

-It's fresh.

Yes, fresh and modern.

-It's different.

-Yeah, it's different to what we're used to

-and I like the wardrobe.

-I love the wardrobe.

All that remains now is to find out the price.

Although Charlotte could see them living here,

is it anywhere near their £200,000 budget

or will they have to set their sights a lot lower?

-It's quite scary actually because we could be really out of it.

-Yeah.

-205.

-£205,000.

-But the AD.

-320,000 dollars. £205,000.

It's a good start - that could be within their budget,

as long as Kevin can find the right job.

That's a surprise. We could actually do that.

That's sensible. We could do that without having a huge mortgage.

That's crazy. You get so much more for your money.

However, they're not planning on moving in.

I think the location's a bit remote.

I love the house but I think it's a long way from everywhere.

Yeah. We were hoping more of a, sort of, walk into town

and more amenities close by.

It's really out the way.

Do you think it's better at George's age where he can play outside?

Yeah, I can't really go and hang out, you know,

with my skateboard on a street corner!

It's a good start to their house-hunting,

but the Gills have still got a long way to go.

The next house is in the Success Area.

It's closer to the coast, and heavy industries

where Kevin might find suitable work.

Being popular with British immigrants, it could help the Gills

feel at home more quickly.

It's a four-bedroom house with plenty of space for a family.

-It's a very strange space, isn't it?

-Yeah.

A definite drop in light compared to the other place.

It seems quite dark, The layout's a bit weird.

-All the lights are on and it's still quite dark.

-Yeah.

-Oh, this is wow!

-Kitchen area.

-It's still very, very dark.

-Really dark.

-It's lovely and open.

I bet it's nice and cool though.

Charlotte's not sounding convinced

but something has caught George's eye.

What do I see over there?

What's that, son?

-A pool.

-No way?!

-This is so awesome.

-Yes! A swimming pool!

Although no one seems to be rushing in.

-It's huge!

-I dare you to jump in.

-I dare you to jump in.

-I'll give you ten dollars.

-I'll give you a hundred dollars.

-You don't have a hundred dollars!

-I do!

That might sweeten the deal a bit, a pool for the boy.

-Yeah...

-We won't be able to keep him out of it.

He'd like the outdoor lifestyle.

-Come on, let's have a look.

-Yeah, let's have a look.

This house might be very spacious,

but Charlotte is still full of doubts.

-This is huge.

-This must be the master bedroom, darling.

-Wow.

-It's a lovely big window.

-I don't know.

It's really dark in the middle and I don't like that.

You could put a sky light in, or something, would bring you light,

-but then again you're spending on top.

-That's true, yeah.

And it's got a lovely pool by the looks of it,

but that's obviously going to add to the value.

-I've been underwhelmed by the house, to be honest.

-Yeah?

Although Charlotte is losing interest in this house,

the children have very different thoughts.

-The pool is amazing isn't it?

-Yeah,

-the pool changed my mind completely.

-Really?

-Yeah.

So, some of them have been won over,

but there's still the small matter of the cost.

Could the Gills actually afford this house?

Time to find out the price.

The price is £287,000.

-Crikey.

-I thought it was going to be expensive because it's got a pool

but it's taking up the whole garden. That's a lot of money.

-It's a big step up.

-And the fourth bedroom.

-And we don't need either.

-No.

-We do need the pool, though.

We'd like a pool, but we don't need a pool.

We need a pool, we need a pool!

This house is nearly £90,000 over their budget.

Everything now depends on the last property.

Set in the area of Baldivis, it's close to the sea with shops,

cafes and parks nearby.

However, it is 30 miles from Perth

meaning a long commute if Kevin was to work there.

Will this luxury four-bedroom house impress the Gills?

I prefer this area to the second one. It immediately looks much nicer.

Hopefully, the inside will also be to Charlotte's liking.

Mmm...

-Oh, my word.

-Wow, that's a proper cinema room.

That is amazing.

Clearly, we can't afford, don't touch anything.

I think she likes what she sees.

It's a bit posh.

-And George has also seen something he likes.

-I just saw a pool!

This is really nice.

Along with the pool,

the layout seems to have taken Charlotte's fancy.

This is a nice size, because you've got the freshness

but you've not got it too big.

It doesn't take up the whole garden.

You've still got greenery in other areas.

Oh, mum, this is way better than the second house, isn't it?

It's quieter, isn't it, as well...

DOG BARKING LOUDLY

Oops, spoke too soon.

DOG BARKING LOUDLY

You've got to be kidding me!

It was all going so well, but now...

I'm not sure this is the quiet outdoor lifestyle that we were really thinking of.

It's a pity because I like the house so far. It's a beautiful house.

We are, literally...

you know, overlooking the next place. It's mad.

Perhaps it's best to get back inside to the peace and quiet.

-Hopefully, the bedrooms can turn things around.

-Oh, this is nice.

-Wow, look at that.

-Oh, Kev, come and look at this.

It's got two walk-in wardrobes.

-Me, me!

-Yeah! One more would do.

And you've got some drawers.

The hers and hers walk-in wardrobes

may have changed Charlotte's tune

but will she be impressed by the price?

They have been wowed by the size and finish of the rooms

and the pool, but is the price too much to bear?

Time to open the envelope and find out.

320.

320,000?

I know it's got a pool, but it hasn't got any real land.

It's got all the bedrooms and everything

but where are the kids going to go outside to play?

-There, that's it, there's nowhere else.

-No point having the big bedrooms

-when you can't sleep at night because you've got a massive mortgage.

-We wouldn't contemplate

buying anything anywhere near that value in the UK.

We wouldn't contemplate buying anywhere like that in Australia either.

You've got to take into consideration your illness, too. If you have a flare-up one day

and you want to quickly walk to the shops without driving,

-you can't do that here.

-No, no.

-This is a stumbling block.

I think that's...

-..not insurmountable, but it IS a stumbling block.

-It is indeed.

The house impressed everyone but would mean a mortgage

that Charlotte and Kevin don't want to contemplate.

Today has been a real eye-opener.

The first house may have been the cheapest

but it impressed Kevin and Charlotte the most.

The second house's pool and garden got the children excited

until the price brought everyone back down to earth.

Although the third was luxury living with its cinema room

and walk-in wardrobes, the neighbourhood was a bit too noisy.

So, have they been convinced by Australian houses?

It's time to find out.

Based on the properties we've seen today, our decision is...

-Australia!

-England.

England.

Just to shake things up a bit.

-Sam's the only one who chose Australia.

-You did not!

LAUGHTER

I tried to be nice for once and not give you any hassle...

-Did you really like the houses?

-Yeah, I did.

I do like the one-level bungalow thing.

I think that's really practical, especially for me.

I love the size but not the outside. There's not enough room.

If we're going to pay money, I'd rather we got more in England, something I never thought...

I can't believe house prices here are so expensive.

It puts a lot of pressure on you again, you know,

with only one of us working, it's a huge step,

and this is what we're trying to obviate coming out here

to just get away from that in England with the high house prices.

And, you know, we seem to be stuck in the same rut.

Very disappointing.

Charlotte has driven this move

and has a strong idea of her dream house.

Unfortunately, she hasn't found it yet.

The Gills' taste of the local property market

didn't do enough to swing their vote for Australia

and finding the home that's right for them could mean a rethink.

With the trip off to a mixed start, it's all the more important

that Australia can offer the family

the kind of lifestyle they want.

In the UK, Kevin's life in the Navy

has meant a lot of time away from the home, missing out on the children growing up.

Now he relishes any chance to spend time with the family

and hopes Australia could be the answer.

I'd like to think we can have a similar lifestyle

just with better weather and more opportunity

to undertake our hobbies and get out amongst it.

George, obviously, takes after Kev, he loves watersports.

I love seeing them together, playing on the beach. I think it's wonderful.

Today in Perth, they've come for a paddle-boarding lesson.

The three of us, we'll paddle out on our knees

heading out that way and when you're both comfortable,

then we'll stand up.

While the boys get to mess about on the boards,

Charlotte and Samantha have a more leisurely day.

Yay!

Go on, Georgie. He's going to stand up.

CHEERING

He's doing very well, having never done it before.

Australia is finally starting to live up to Charlotte's memories.

I remember it being as it is now.

It's a lot more built-up

but it's still got the same sort of mentality, in that it's a winter's afternoon here but it's mild,

you can get out and about, families are having a stroll around, grabbing coffee, spot of lunch.

I personally would be looking for a life like this that allowed me

to get outside and feel the sun on my bones because that feels great.

And Kevin can also see the positive effects on George.

I think he enjoyed the boarding.

I think he was surprised how well he did at it.

Maybe a little bit nervous when we started, wasn't sure,

but, yeah, really proud of him.

I've been thinking that Australia's a bit good, actually,

so it sort of changed my mind.

However, there's still a big decision facing Samantha,

whether she gives up her family or gives up her boyfriend.

Sam is being pulled in the middle.

She's got to... Either way, she's going to hurt somebody

but she has to put herself first.

We've skirted around the subject a few times

but we haven't talked about it too deeply, because...

I think we know it's going to end up with both people being upset,

so we've tried not to. It's there though, it's the big elephant in the room.

It's difficult to try to keep everyone happy when everyone wants different things.

And I'm not sure what I want at the moment.

I couldn't even think seriously about it at the minute actually because...

I don't think she will. I think she'll come with Mummy.

Now I'm second, aren't I?

LAUGHTER

It's an emotional subject that's also weighing on Kevin's mind.

If Samantha decided this wasn't for her,

and she wanted to stay in England,

I think we'd find it incredibly difficult to leave her.

We'd be missing a part of us if she wasn't here.

In that case, we'd seriously have to rethink it.

I know she's at that age where she's going to fly, and we want to hold onto her for as long as we can.

So, after a day of sampling the Aussie lifestyle,

how will they vote?

Based on our experience today, we've decided to vote for...

-Australia!

-Half.

Why half and half, darling?

I prefer the playgrounds in England

but it's a pity that you don't get to do it all year round.

I thought he might go for England,

but I love the fact that he likes he can play outside all year here.

Sam, I knew she'd love the lifestyle just based on that

I know we weren't going to get anything else. I knew she'd love the lifestyle

-and I thought you'd enjoy it, too.

-It's fantastic.

-I knew I'd like it.

-Not really a shocker.

Nobody's shocked, yay!

Charlotte's dream of Australia has moved one step closer to reality

but will it be with all her family?

Sampling the Aussie lifestyle was a welcome success for everyone,

even if the playgrounds did leave a little to be desired.

But the key to making the move could be

if Oz can offer Sam a better tomorrow as well as today.

Samantha has recently finished a degree in social science and wants to go into teaching.

However, in the UK, competition is very high.

There aren't any vacancies.

I applied for teaching assistant positions to get experience

and they just said there's too many people applying for one position.

I think if there were better prospects of employment over here, it would...

..slightly change my opinion of moving to Australia.

I'd have to have a serious talk with Ivan

because I can't get anything at the moment in the UK

so it would definitely change things, I think.

So we've arranged for her to spend a day at Edith Cowan University

and get the low-down from some trainee teachers.

If I wanted to go into primary school teaching over here, what would I have to do at university?

You're probably looking at doing a grad dip, which is a one-year course.

It'd give you the skills you need to become a teacher in Western Australia.

What employment base is here? Are there any walls facing it?

-Getting a job would be so much easier for you.

-Everyone that comes out of teaching gets a job.

Especially in the country, a lot of opportunities.

You learn much more in the country, it's a different world

and usually by the beach all the time so your school might be round the corner from the beach

and the country is a lot more relaxed in that sense

so you'll find that at lunchtime your school might

go down to the beach and you might sit on the beach

watching the kids on the beach so it's completely different than here.

That's encouraging news,

however Samantha is also concerned about pay

as teaching didn't measure up to other job options in the UK.

I was applying for teaching assistant jobs to try to get experience in the meantime.

I would have to take about a £6,000 reduction in what I would do

if I went into an office job or something like that.

Grad dip next year,

you're looking at an equivalent salary of £38,000.

-Oh, my God!

-Which... Yeah.

It's so much salary difference.

The lifestyle's going to be so much better.

What I wanted to do in England, it was facing a brick wall,

trying to get through and it's here there's no wall.

So, career opportunities in Western Australia sound just like what Sam's looking for.

However, boyfriend Ivan is on the other side of the world.

It's confusing. This seems to be the perfect situation in what I want to do

so I'm not really sure what's going on.

Ideally I'd just like to move Ivan here and come to this university.

But I know that nothing pans out the way you want it to.

Sam's experience may have left her caught in two minds

but there's even more pressure on Kevin to make the move work.

As the sole breadwinner,

he needs Australia to provide enough security and income

for the whole family.

In the UK, Kevin works in the Navy as an engineer

but he's having to retire after 20 years of service.

With the economic downturn in the UK, work is hard to find

and he's hoping the situation will be much better Down Under.

Kevin's engineering background means he has skills

that are transferable to other industries.

As mining is booming in Western Australia,

We've sent him to check out Boddington gold mine near Perth.

It's a million miles from what he's used to, but it could be an option.

-It's a huge site.

-It is, one of Australia's biggest sites.

Tom, from the engineering section, is keen to find out if Kevin could fit in with the company.

-Tell us a bit about your background.

-I've been working in the Navy for the past 20 years. Bit of a broad base.

We've got quite a vast range of machines, a lot of pumping,

a lot of material movements, conveyors.

So, there's a lot of work to do around ensuring

-the equipment's reliable. How does that sound?

-It sounds very interesting, actually.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

-Do you want to come for a look around?

-Yes, please.

While Kevin's exploring the mine,

the rest of the family are checking out Boddington town.

They know how much is riding on Kevin finding well-paid work.

You can tell it by his demeanour.

He is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

He's got two children, a wife that's not well, we're going to lose our home,

I wouldn't want to be in his position.

If I was in his position, I would just be crying on the floor.

I think he's going to have to earn a really good wage

to even consider any of those properties.

Even the first one.

It seems that all of the money we've saved up with the Navy has

been eaten up by the rising house prices. Doesn't seem to mean anything.

Well aware of the pressure riding on his shoulders,

Kevin is quick to get to the big questions.

-How did you find that?

-That was pretty eye-opening. That's huge!

Based on what we've seen with your resume,

I would suggest that we would be looking for

a team leader position for yourself.

Newmont has a strong focus on developing its people,

which will enable you to go on and complete your degree, if that's the way you want to go.

Yeah, definitely further my career. Like you say, I know I'm going to have to start again,

if there's the opportunity to progress, that would interest me. Are there opportunities?

Right across the board we're continually trying to find

quality people to work with our plant.

That sounds very interesting. Yeah. I think I could do that.

It's all sounding promising,

but there is still the most crucial question.

With my family moving out, the lifestyle's the issue,

what's the remuneration?

What sort of pay are we looking at to start with?

Tradespeople would be coming on board

-at about 90,000 Australian.

-Yeah.

-You'd probably be looking at, with your skills,

-looking in the early hundreds.

-Right, OK.

It's a lot better than I was expecting.

-Yeah, quite a lot.

-That's a starting salary of over £60,000.

A lot more than Kevin earns in the UK.

That's all good news if he did get a job like this.

But it could mean giving up living close to the seaside.

-So, how will Kevin vote?

-Well, today has been a bit of an eye-opener.

I'm massively impressed with what I have seen today.

The salary, the opportunities to progress, I'm going to vote for...

Australia.

Well, no surprise there, then.

The salary was massive, almost double what I'm on at the moment,

and that's just unbelievable.

I don't think it's quite sunk in.

When Tom told me, I was trying to be relaxed,

but I was doing cartwheels inside. It just makes it more realistic.

To provide for my family to that level is just amazing.

Undeniably amazing.

It's been a great day for Kevin,

and he's keen to share the news with Charlotte.

-How was the picnic?

-Very nice, thank you, darling.

Got the cafe to do it, very posh. How did it go?

It's looking very positive.

I just couldn't believe it,

they started at 90,000 for the tradesmen, up to 190 for engineers.

-190?

-For the degree-qualified engineers.

So, you would start off at the lower end, and work up through the company?

They were saying there's a possibility of overseeing

the work teams, and there was the possibility,

for the right candidate, of sponsorship.

-Oh, well done.

-Cheers, babes.

-Did you really like it?

-It was all right.

-Wow, cool.

Kevin's news couldn't have gone down much better.

And although one good day is no guarantee of a future,

knowing his skills are in demand in Australia

is a big step towards a move.

What's needed now is to see how things look in black and white.

We've prepared a comparison of the Gill's

day-to-day living costs in Australia.

How will their figures add up?

Most foods are more expensive here, without a doubt.

It's 162 in the UK, difference of 231. So, groceries are double.

I mean the big thing there is the income. It's massively different.

-Right, shall we have a look at the mortgage bit now?

-Yeah.

I've been waiting all week but this bit.

We're looking at a monthly repayment of 1,750, or about £1,100.

In England we are going to have a big mortgage and a lower wage. That a similar price that you would

-pay for a mortgage in the UK, but of course your wages are less.

-I see what you're getting at now.

So, are they better off in the UK, or Australia?

In Australia, we've got 27,924.

-I think we might be better off going to Australia.

-Can't believe that!

-I don't know, that's shocked me.

-An unbelievable amount.

To consider, that's after you've paid for things,

even taking into account they are more expensive over here.

-Yeah, yeah sure.

-Bizarre.

That's a phenomenal result,

with Kevin's Australian starting salary,

after all of their outgoings they'd still have around £27,000 a year left over.

There is an excellent opportunity for me to provide for my family,

and that gives me a good feeling.

I wouldn't, you know, I be proud to, that would be amazing.

Think it's sunk in?

I'm not 100% sure yet,

but to have spare each year

of equal to the jobs that I'm looking at taking.

Of course, yeah.

In England that the sort of wage I'm looking at taking,

and that's going to be the spare capacity.

-Yeah, I'm blown away.

-Are you glad you went through this now?

-I am.

There's been trepidation throughout,

but I'm glad we're here at this point.

Yeah, we have been through the mill.

Just a specific time in my life where everything was going wrong,

to end up here is...

-Sorted. Right.

-Yeah.

It's a massive relief for Kevin and Charlotte.

After all of their worries about their future

when Kevin leaves the Navy, this is great news.

Based on the financial aspects we have looked at today,

our decision is...

(BOTH) Australia!

The possibility of such a large boost to their income

is fantastic news for the Gills.

But moving so far away from home can mean facing another big cost -

the impact of leaving behind the people that you love.

We've prepared some messages from family and friends back in the UK.

As it can be quite emotional,

Kevin, Charlotte, and Sam have decided to watch it without George.

Hey, Kevin, hey, guys, I hope you are enjoying yourselves down there.

-They're a lovely family, without realising it.

-They're very nice.

-Aren't they?

-As a family, I find them very, very close.

They've settled here very well, very well.

I miss his stories. He's got a story for everything that happens.

He's got a lot of experience in the Navy,

and he likes sharing his experiences with us.

He always brightens the day up, he always pops in.

Sometimes it's the same story!

He's always nice to listen to.

I think it's a really good opportunity for them

to explore life in Australia, and if she's happy living there,

I'd have to kind of have a think about what I want to do.

HE SIGHS

My brother's children, what can I say, really? I love them all.

I shall miss Charlotte very much.

I'm going to be a bit sad when she goes.

If she did decide to leave permanently, I wish them the best.

-I'd be sad.

-We would be, wouldn't we?

I'll be so sad, I don't want them to go.

Just always knowing, I'm a little bit upset, oh, Josh, don't cry.

I just always haven't the right words to say.

I just hope you're getting along very well out there.

Have a great time. Missing you lots.

I hope everything is going well out there,

you're not missing me too much,

and I do miss you loads, and I can't wait to see you

next week, well hopefully, when you come back.

And we'll have to have a good chat, whatever happens, it'll work out.

Just don't worry about it, just enjoy your time out there.

We'll have to see what happens. Caru chi. Ta-ra.

-Oh, wow. Are you all right, baby?

-Yeah. Quite good.

-Was it nice seeing Ivan on there?

-Yeah.

-I wasn't going to cry.

-You did really well.

-Yeah.

He did sound very supportive, I thought.

I thought he sounded positive, actually.

Just shows that I couldn't leave him in the UK.

-Did he say I love you at the end of it, did he?

-Yeah, caru chi.

Seeing me messages from home has shown the Gills

what they stand to lose by leaving.

A life in Australia would mean big sacrifices.

So, is the pain of moving really worth it?

It's time for the Gills to make their final decision.

As their week in Australia draws to an end,

Charlotte, Kevin and Samantha have a chance

to think over just how much is at stake.

This could possibly be Charlotte's last chance to get here,

so we need to make a decision.

I'm glad George seems so happy here.

Kevin seems really pleased his work prospects,

and also with the way of life.

Samantha seems to love it, but obviously her heart is being torn in two, because she's got

a boyfriend back in the UK who she wants to be with as well.

It just seems amazing.

Like, the weather, the opportunities for employment, everything,

the lifestyle, it's just really amazing.

My gut instinct tells me that she's not going to vote for Australia.

I think Ivan makes Samantha happy, and as any dad will attest,

someone who makes their daughter happy is worth £1 million.

It's been an eventful week, and one that has brought home

the emotional issues that face every parent.

One of the things that has come to a head during this week over here

is that our daughter has grown up,

and potentially, we're going to lose her.

I am 22, and I am moving on, but I don't really want to leave them behind.

It isn't like it's just up the road, up north, or something like that.

It's however many miles away. It's on the other side of the world.

At the end of the day, it's what's best the majority, not the minority.

I want them to be happy, really.

It's down to the final vote.

Could Charlotte and Kevin move if Samantha doesn't,

or have they all been tempted by life Down Under?

Are you ready, guys?

-Australia!

-Half and half!

-You didn't say England!

-I said half and half.

-That's really good.

-That's really good.

-Come here, Son.

-Did you say that, too, baby?

-I'd miss my friends in England.

I chose half-and-half, because it's really good in Australia,

but my friends matter more.

The reason why I voted half-and-half is because,

although the lifestyle here is amazing,

it's a lot of work opportunities for you,

was just because of the people, and that's the only reason

why I wouldn't move over.

It's because of the lifestyle, the work opportunities,

and also because I think it's a great family atmosphere.

The Gills have come a long way during their week in Australia,

but emotional ties to the UK mean the decision isn't a clear one.

With such a tough choice to make, the Gills may need

just that little bit more time

before they decide upon a future that's right for them.

Whatever it may be, we wish them all the very best with it.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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